Accor, one of the leading hotel operators in the region, is expanding its Mercure brand with the opening of a new hotel in Saudi Arabia. The new hotel, Mercure Jeddah Al Hamra opened its doors for the first time in early July 2013. Strategically located in Al Hamra district, Mercure Jeddah Al Hamra, is in close proximity with the city Corniche and the central business area, and therefore is the ideal destination for both leisure and corporate travellers. Jeddah being a gateway city to the Holy City of Makkah, the hotel, which is an easy-reach from Makkah highway, will also perfectly serve the need of the religious travelers. Mercure Jeddah Al Hamra hotel features a total of 149 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, an all-day-dining in the Palm restaurant, a coffee lounge and a health club with an indoor swimming pool. Wi-Fi is complimentary for all guests, and the hotel boasts numerous meeting rooms equipped with the latest technologies. The latest addition to the Mercure portfolio brings the total number of Mercure hotels in Saudi Arabia to seven and the total number of room keys to 1216. In the Middle East, Mercure operates 19 properties representing 3,213 rooms throughout Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Christophe Landais, Managing Director for Accor Middle East, said: “As one of the world's largest hotel chains in the midscale segment with over 700 hotels worldwide, this new addition to the Mercure brand portfolio in this important market reaffirms the robust health of the brand, and its power of attractiveness to investors and guests alike”. On a global scale, Mercure continues to expand throughout all continents and opens on average one new establishment every week worldwide. — SG
